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Dunkwa flooding has seen less publicity compared to Denkyira-Oboase mob attack – DDA

Denkyira Development Association has expressed dissatisfaction over the media coverage of the recent flooding at Dunkwa on Offin in the Upper Denkyira East municipality which swept away properties worth millions of Ghana cedis and rendered scores homeless for days.

The flood, after a heavy downpour, raided the Dunkwa Municipal Hospital and spared not the residence of the Dunkwahen, Okofrobuor Obeng Nuako III among other homes and offices for over two weeks.

A statement signed and read at a press conference at Dunkwa on Offin by the President of the Association, Mr. Joseph Barnor-Lokko, indicated that the media would have given the same prominence to this as they give other stories. But their reportage on the flooding in Dunkwa was nothing to write home about, after the nation was thrown into shock with the gruesome murder of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama at New-Obuasi, then Denkyira-Oboasi, two weeks ago

DDA however, called it unfortunate, how the media according to the statement skewed to make Denkyiras the target as a result of the condemnable act by a few in New-Oboasi, one of the 165 towns that constitute Denkyira State.

“We plead with our media friends to help disabuse the minds of the public on who Denkyiras are.” the statement added.
STATEMENT DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT OF DENKYIRA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION – MR JOSEPH BARNOR-LOKKO AT TOWN HALL MEETING ON GALAMSEY HELD AT DUNKWA ON 28TH JULY, 2017

We are delighted to welcome the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), OccupyGhana and other stakeholders to Dunkwa, the heartbeat of Denkyira land. We are particularly happy that this Town Hall is happening at this time when there is renewed impetus and commitment from all major players – Chiefs, Development Associations, Political leaders and the media to fight the Galamsey menace.

At Denkyira Development Association (DDA), we have shown our commitment to this fight by being the first and only Association which is part of these efforts by the Media coalition. We will continue to commit our time and material resources to ensure that this noble fight succeeds.

A few weeks ago, about one-third of this historic town was badly flooded as a result of illegal mining activities along our river bodies. Goods and properties worth millions were destroyed. One would have hoped that our Media friends would have given the same prominence to this as we give other stories. But our reportage on the flooding in Dunkwa was nothing to write home about.

Almost two months ago, the nation was thrown into shock with the gruesome murder of an Army Major (then Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama) in New-Obuasi, then Denkyira-Oboasi. The DDA was one of the first groups to condemn this dastardly act on Denkyira soil. Working with the community and other groups and the security agents, calm was restored and perpetrators are standing trial.

Unfortunately, media reportage and commentary has been skewed to make Denkyiras the target as a result of the condemnable act by a few in New-Oboasi, one of the 165 towns that constitute Denkyira State. We plead with our media friends to help disabuse the minds of the public on who Denkyiras are.

The Chiefs and people of Denkyira acting through the Denkyira Traditional Council, performed purification rites and rejected the incidence as “foreign” to Denkyira culture.

The people of Denkyira are peace loving people, having co-existed for centuries with our neighbors in peace. The land has provided many businesses, academicians, religious and political leaders.
Denkyiras are peace loving
Denkyiras believe in their rich culture
Denkyiras are law abiding citizens
Denkyiras are resourceful…

What happened, unfortunate as it was, happens in many parts of the country and gradually becoming a sub culture. Indeed on the day of the incident, a 55 years old man (Kofi Amoako Sensen) was lynched in Gomoa Fetteh after he was accused for stealing GHS 1.50 and a 67 year old woman (Yenboka Kenna) at the Pelungu market in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region after she was accused as being a witch.

This is a national crisis that needs a national concerted effort to fight. We have taken the cue and I am happy to announce today, that Denkyira Development Association is launching a campaign dubbed “Say No To Mob Injustice”. This campaign will be our way to lead the entire nation to fight against the sub culture of mob action. Through this effort, we hope to prevent other senseless and needless killings.

We want to assure the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, NCCE, OccupyGhana and the nation as a whole that, Denkyiras are in full support of the campaign and we want to see an end to the galamsey menace in the country for posterity.

We express our profound gratitude to H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and the Minister of Mines for their commitment to end Galamsey in Ghana.

We want to welcome you once again to the land of our proud and rich culture.